Israel Approves New City of David Visitor Center

Bible and archaeology news

The Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Committee approved this week a plan to build a new visitor center above the ongoing Givati parking lot excavations within the existing City of David archaeological park. The center, which will be built on stilts to protect and provide visitor access to the excavations below, will include an exhibition hall, classroom space and a rooftop observatory, as well as parking for the City of David complex. “The plan is an example of outstanding architecture that will contribute to the development of the national park and create public space that befits the location within the site and the city,” said Israel’s Ministry of Interior in a statement. After the plan was approved, the Israel Nature and Parks authority razed a Palestinian community center at the building site that included a playground, community center and café.

The Jerusalem District Planning and Construction Committee approved this week a plan to build a new visitor center above the ongoing Givati parking lot excavations within the existing City of David archaeological park.

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Your news item states: “…the Israel Nature and Parks authority razed a Palestinian community center AT the building site…” (my emphasis). This is absolutely NOT the case. The location of the demolition was about 300 feet distant from the Givati site, down the street to the south. One must look for another rationale for this mean-spirited act of destruction. The community center facilities were part of a recently opened but still unfinished (and mostly US-funded) project of the Middle East Children’s Alliance. Look it up.

Exhibits/Events

In 1618, the great Flemish artist sir Peter Paul Rubens painted portraits of the three wise men. For the first time in 130 years, these paintings can be viewed together in the exhibit Peter Paul Rubens: The Three Magi Reunited at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.